No, ‘The Exorcist’ is Not The Greatest Horror Movie of All Time
A case against one of cinema’s most overrated films
Hailed by many — too many, indeed — as one of the greatest and scariest horror movies of all time, if not the greatest and scariest, William Friedkin’s 1973 The Exorcist seems long overdue for a healthy counter-analysis, particularly one that dispels the aura of “unquestionable sanctity” that the cult film has gained over the years, as well as its cinematic mythology. This analysis will consider the film itself, its cultural impact, and its cinematic legacy.
1. Has “The Exorcist” Withstood the Test of Time?
A major litmus test for the cultural and artistic merit of a film is whether or not that film has withstood the test of time, thus remaining culturally and personally relevant to multiple generations, regardless of time and history. And, as of 2023, The Exorcist has definitely not withstood the test of time.
Many of us have heard the tales of audience members passing out or feeling sick during the premiere of the film in the 1970s,¹ but 1970s audiences were not used to graphic violence taking place on-screen, nor were they used to the “demonic horror” genre, which only became a cultural phenomenon following the release of Friedkin’s movie…
